Perth Test: Day 3

After the 4-0 loss in England, one must have felt that this was the lowest ebb, Indian team could go to and there was only uphill from here. But in Australia India have continued their woeful form overseas and have gone further down.

Just over 7 sessions is what it took for Australia to maul the Indians and take a 3-0 lead in the series. Before the series began Australia were the side which had issues to be sorted out. This was considered one big opportunity for India to finally win a series down under. Many even considered India to be favorites coming into the series. Far from being able to win here, India have failed to compete in this series except for the first 3 days at the MCG. In fact, India have failed to recover from 4th Day collapse at MCG and it has been downhill since then.

After being 88/4 at stumps, a miraculous effort was required if India had to fancy any chances in the game. Dravid and Kohli batted solidly for the first one hour before Rahul Dravid was yet again bowled in this series. Now, he has got bowled the maximum number of times in the history of Test Match cricket. After the fall of Rahul Dravid, the rest of the Indian batting collapsed within 36 runs. MS Dhoni failed yet again to make an impression on foreign soil. He was caught in the slips by Ricky Ponting.

After the Lunch break, Hilfenhous picked up 3 wickets in the same over, reducing India to 171/9. In the very next over Siddle dismissed Kohli and with it sealing the series 3-0.

The only positive for India has been Virat Kohli. He has showen real skill and ability at the Test level. He has also justified the long run given to him by the team management. I have no doubt, he would be turn out to be a fantastic test match player.

Umesh Yadav is another positive from this game. He seems to have all the ingredients to be a very effective fast bowler. But, the worry is in the recent past there have been so many Indian fast bowlers who after showing some promise have gone into wilderness. One should hope that Yadav does not fall into that trap and he should become the bowler he deserves to be.

Like every time, the question is 'what now?' Clearly, changes are required in the side. I am certain Rohit Sharma would get a game ahead of Laxman. Kohli may bat at 3 and Dravid may go down the order. I also expect Adelaide to be Rahul Dravid's last test match. I also believe that Perth would in all probability be Laxman's last test match.

Indian management have a lot of thinking to do. There is great pool of young and talented Indian batsmen. By not giving them an opportunity we are letting that talent go waste. They have to be harnessed and modeled into great batsman.